Grimsby Book Club

History

I launched my book club in the summer of 2021, at Vittles (Grimsby) as part of my previous business Made in Grimsby & Cleethorpes. Over the years, the group has grown and evolved, and we currently meet on the 1st Sunday of every month at The Canopy, in Grant Thorold Park, in Grimsby. If you’re interested in joining a meeting, please read through the questions below and if there is anything else you would like to know, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Currently Reading

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

Next Meeting: 1st February 2026

Where is the Grimsby Book Club held?

As of 5th January 2025, we meet for book club at The Canopy, in Grant Thorold Park, in Grimsby.

When is the next book club?

The next book club will be on Sunday 1st February 2026.

What time does book club take place?

Book Club always starts at 1pm and usually finishes at 2pm.

Can I have lunch during book club?

Absolutely, in fact, this is encouraged. I’ve been known to have a toast, a sausage roll or a cake in past book club meetings. However, don’t Geel that you have to eat, sometimes we do and sometimes we don’t…it’s different for each of us.

The only thing I do request is please do try to at least support The Canopy by purchasing a drink.

What is the book club currently reading?

We are currently reading The Housekeeper and The Professor by Yoko Ogawa in January 2026.

Please Note: I have a habit of forgetting to change the answer to this question, so please check the month mentioned, and if it is not the month we are currently in, I recommend checking the book at the top or dropping me an email at: kat@lettersfrompoppy.co.uk

I hated the book…

God, me too! Honestly, we love it when you hate a book because it makes the conversation so much more interesting. One of the things I value most about the book club is how different everyone’s opinions are on most of the books. It’s very rare that everyone enjoys a book, but when it does happen, it feels even more special.

Can I just turn up?

Absolutely, you don’t need to tell me you’re coming. You are also more than welcome to sit and listen and gauge if our book club is right for you – it hasn’t been right for everyone, and that’s okay. Book clubs aren’t for everyone, so there’s no pressure or judgement here.

I can’t make it to every meeting

That’s okay. We appreciate that everyone has stuff going on in their lives, so if you can’t make it one month – there’s no pressure. If you miss a year of meetings, and decide to pop back, that’s okay too. You’re more than welcome to stay in our WhatsApp chat for when you are ready to come back, so you can stay involved. And we also run a Buddy Read that takes place on WhatsApp only, for anyone who can’t make meetings or fancies a little extra challenge.

Do I need to bring anything with me?

Nope, just yourself and some of us bring the book we’re reading, so that we can refer back to it if necessary. However, this is a choice and not an obligation.

I’m really shy, do I have to speak during book club?

Oh, I feel you because I am also incredibly shy and struggle with anxiety. Please rest assured that there is never any pressure to join in the conversation at all, I will never jump on anyone to speak. I HATE when people do that, so I will definitely never do it to others. If you would prefer to come and listen, that’s no problem at all. You can do this until you are comfortable to join in, or if you never want to speak – that’s okay too.

Can I suggest a book to read?

Absolutely, and this is highly encouraged.

We work together to choose the book we read each month, whereby everyone is given the opportunity to nominate a book to read. Everyone then votes on the book/s they would like to read, and the one with the most votes is what we read.

Is there a book club Facebook group?

No, this is something that we agreed quite early on – that all conversation would be kept off social media, because I know a lot of people aren’t keen on social media, however we do have a WhatsApp group.

Feel free to email me with your phone number if you would like to be added to the group. If you are shy or nervous about coming, I definitely recommend joining the WhatsApp group to get to know other members of the book club before the meeting. It also means you can be involved into the book choosing process too.

Can I bring a friend along with me?

Of course, the more the merrier.

I’m anxious about coming to book club…

I get it, I really do. I am here to tell you that I will do everything I can to make things easier for you, if I can. This could include (but is definitely not limited to):

Meeting you earlier
Meeting you at the door so that you don’t have to come inside by yourself
Advise where the toilets are
Anything else that will help
Add you to our WhatsApp group so that you can get to know members before coming along

How do you get into The Canopy building?

If you enter the park via the small car park, with the building in front of you, walk around the back via the path on the left hand side. Wall all the way round, and you’ll eventually come to a glass section of The Canopy. Turn right at the end, and the entrance is in the far corner, on your right. If the weather is nice, you’ll probably spot some tables and chairs outside.

Do you meet in a specific place in The Canopy?

Yes. Walk in The Canopy, get yourself a drink from the till area on your left and the room is right next to the counter. You’ll probably see us setting up the tables and chairs. Just come in, and say hello!

What age range are book club attendees?

We have quite a wide age range spectrum, from early 20s up to 60s. However, the largest portion are aged between early 30s and mid-40s.

Absolutely all age ranges are welcome.

Are men welcome to join?

Absolutely. We don’t mean to be mostly ladies, so James would love to have some male company.

Do I have to pay to join?

Nope. Book Club is 100% free. We’re not about making money, we’re about reading books, particularly ones we wouldn’t have read otherwise, and to be more social.

All you need to pay for is any food or drinks from The Canopy that you fancy.